Ergonomic Mouse with Upper Surface Programmable Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer mice with limited buttons cause repetitive stress disorders due to awkward hand and finger positions, especially in gaming environments where additional functionalities are needed, but extra buttons are not easily accessible.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic input device with multi-programmable buttons, featuring a body designed to support the mid-palm, depressible keys, and actuators positioned for easy access, allowing users to assign and activate 'shortcut' functions without straining hand positions, using a software application for configuration and utilizing removable actuator modules for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional buttons are added to the computer mouse to provide more functionalities for gaming, then the versatility and functionality of the device is improved, but the buttons are positioned on the lateral sides which are not easily accessible by users, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions additional buttons on the upper surface of the mouse body rather than on lateral sides, utilizing the horizontal plane dimension to place buttons within easy reach of the user's fingers while maintaining ergonomic hand positioning. This dimensional repositioning allows users to access multiple buttons without straining or moving their hands into awkward positions.
2Device complexity
If conventional mouse designs are used with limited buttons, then the device complexity is reduced, but users suffer from repetitive stress disorders due to awkward hand and finger positions required to access additional functionalities, worsening the harmful factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple programmable buttons directly onto the mouse body, allowing a single device to perform both pointing functions and multiple gaming/control functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for users to switch between devices or contort their hands to access additional controls, thereby reducing repetitive stress while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Shape
If buttons are positioned on the lateral sides to conform to the shape of the mouse, then the ergonomic shape is maintained, but the buttons become inaccessible requiring awkward hand positions, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates multiple buttons on the upper surface area where the user's fingers naturally rest during operation. This local concentration of controls on the accessible upper surface maintains the overall ergonomic shape of the mouse while ensuring that buttons are positioned in the optimal location for easy finger access without requiring awkward hand or wrist positions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ergonomic design reduces strain on users by providing easy access to multiple buttons, allowing quicker access to game functions without awkward hand positioning, thereby reducing the risk of repetitive stress disorders and enhancing gaming experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first displacement transducer coupled to the circuitry for transducing detected displacement into displacement signals
Data Source
AI summary
Pointing devices such as computer mouse are commonly used for making selections on computer screens. However, prolong or frequent use of such pointing devices might result in users suffering from repetitive stress disorder. Further, due to the widespread use of personal computers (PC), this problem is made more even pronounced. In addition, users increasingly require additional buttons to be provided on the computer mouse for purposes such as PC gaming. Although device manufacturers have started building more buttons on existing computer mice, the buttons are typically not ergonomically positioned. An embodiment of the invention describes an ergonomic input device with multi-programmable buttons.